Morbid obesity occurs when a person's body weight has a harmful effect on their health. Health problems directly related to morbid obesity include Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, coronary artery disease, sleep apnea, arthritis, stress urinary incontinence, gastroesophageal reflux disease, fatty liver, infertility and even death.

Morbid obesity is a disease in which several factors, such as genetics, behavior and medical problems may cause some people to gain weight. As a person gains weight, the added stress to the body can cause or worsen many of the health problems listed above.

Recent studies have shown that about 96 percent of these health problems improve or are cured following weight-loss surgery.

Studies have also shown that a patient's health is improved and lives are saved when these health problems are resolved.

Treatment

Diet and exercise supervised by your physician are the first line of therapy for obesity. However, the best long-term results have been achieved with bariatric surgery along with a follow-up program designed to help control the behavioral, lifestyle and medical issues that cause obesity.

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